I just wanted to see what the best 9mm would be for the money I am looking to spend around $250. Also if you have time I would like to see some pics of some. Thanks

I just wanted to see what the best 9mm would be for the money I am looking to spend around $250. Also if you have time I would like to see some pics of some. Thanks

I'm guessing that you mean a semiauto pistol. You might get more responses if you post this over in the pistol forum. But, since we're here...

For $250 you probably aren't going to be able to buy a quality new 9mm pistol. However, for about $300, you could probably buy a new S&W Sigma 9mm pistol. They generally have heavy triggers, but the newest versions do seem to consistently work well.
If $250 is a hard limit, you might be able to pick up a used 3rd Generation S&W 9mm pistol at a Gander Mountain (or similar store) for about that. I don't say "S&W" just because this is a S&W site, but used S&W pistols seem to be available pretty reasonably. For $250 you'll almost be assuredly looking at a cosmetically rough one, maybe with the squared trigger guard (those fell out of fashion). But it'll work the same and about the only thing that you'll need/want to do is replace the recoil spring and magazine springs (both of which are inexpensive from S&W).
Otherwise, about the only decent (in my opinion) pistols that you'll find for $250 are probably going to be .380 ACPs (which I'm a little leery of as far as the effectiveness of the round, not to mention that .380 ammo costs more than 9mm) like those made be Bersa.

The one you can shoot best, of course. Seriously, I suggest you go to a range and rent a few, or ask a friend, or family member, who might have one, and try a few S&W revolvers (9mm) and pistols (9mm). The one you shoot very well deserves consideration as, "The best 9mm for the $$$$".

__________________
Hook686

For a new pistol your gonna have to find about 50$ and get a SW9VE here is a link to a good price on one.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/13283
or this P95 foir about the same
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/18161
And a Bersa thunder compact also around $300
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPa...78/products_id/34017

As for used heres a 915 with a buy it now of $269
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=81866936

A SW9VE with black slide for a buy it now price of $250
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=82209393

A 5906 at summit for $275-295
http://www.summitgunbroker.com/1048200.html

5946 with square trigger guards may be left for 249$
http://www.summitgunbroker.com/1658547.html

Thats about all I could find IMO your best bet is to pony up another 50$ and get the SW9VE or one of the used 3rd gen smiths.

I agree that a used 5906 is about your best option. However, finding one used for $250 is going to be a bit of a problem. Perhaps on a private sale where the owner just wants to get rid of it. Regardless, both CDNN and Summit Gun Broker have hundreds of good used ones in stock at very good prices, but $350 is about the entry point for a dealer gun.

The thing about S&W's Third Generation pistols (the 5906 is one) is that they are virtually indestructible, very reliable and accurate. They may have lots of holster wear and look rough on the outside but they still function just fine. Hundreds of police departments are trading them in not because they are no longer serviceable but because S&W doesn't make them any more and is pushing hard on the M&P line. Plus, newer generations of police officers think the Third Generation pistols are 'old skool' and not tacticool. Polymer is in, man! I think the City of Atlanta was the last big order S&W got for Third Generation pistols.

Third gen S&W.
Any used pistol in that range will show wear but most of the Smiths will still work very well.
Be prepared to spend about $300 or a bit more. You need to consider taxes, shipping, etc in your final price for anything decent. Nearly any 9mm pistol you could buy for $250 out the door would be a waste of money.
Call CDNN and talk to them...they may have a few good police trade-ins at your price.
FWIW, I bought my 5904 from them for under $270, free shipping, but still had to pay transfer fees and fee to my local dealer.
It is the dreaded square trigger guard model, and shows holster wear. All is does is work every time I have shot it. One of my all time favorite handguns.

Mark

__________________
Liberals made the USA

For a compact, my choice would be the 3913.

For a full size, I'd pick the 915. Both are very underated 9mm. Regards 18DAI.

__________________
7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Without doubt the current 5906 deals for under $300......full stainless pistol with "usually" minimal wear from all the PD trade ins........very accurate too.....

Look into a Bersa 9mm. from Eagle Imports. higher quality than many over priced semi-autos.

__________________
Poke

You're awfully close to the price of a good used S&W 6906. They are plentiful.... Find one with Novak rear sights and enjoy one of the best of the 3rd Generation Smiths.....Zebulon

Assuming the money limit is fixed, the only thing that I can think of is the Czech made Cz-82, currently imported as surplus. Dealer cost is about 200, so if you find a transfer dealer, it'll be about 250 with shipping and fees.

These are 9x18mm, not 9x19mm, but it's still a 9mm. Durable, easy to conceal, and holds 12 rounds. Not the worst pistol out there.

300 +/- is about the starting point for a 3rd generation auto. 350 is going to be more common from a dealer, because of shipping and transfer fees if nothing else. You might be able to find a used Sigma for 250 though.

Kel-Tec for your money. Long trigger DAO, but very compact, very light and very reliable with good customer service. There are better options out there if you save up another $100 - $150, but the Kel-Tec will get the job done in a nice small package.
Look here for pic and typical review.
http://www.seark.net/~jlove/kel_tec_p11.htm

Star M30s can be had for that money if you like the idea of a 2.5 pound all steel 15 round beast. If you run out of bullets you can beat the BG and his horse to death with it and never worry about the finish. They will take 59 series mags with the minimum of tweaking (if any) just as a bonus. The Firestar is a nice compact. My buddy carried one as a security officer and liked it.

For a little more money, the Bersa 9mm pistols look a great bet. Other than that, you are in Sigma Land.

__________________
Release the Kraken

Beretta 92 series , Glock 17, Smith and Wesson 5906. MANY, MANY Departments who used 9mm are going to .40. Full size police type guns on the used gun market are Your best bet. I know all about other ones. Star, Lama, Taurus.If I could not ( or did not want to ) afford a decent shape semi from the top notch manufacturers, I would give a hard look at a used Ruger or S&W revolver with a 4 inch barrel.

Please tell me your source for $250 3913's!! I want to buy a couple!
Gonzo

I agree with the 5904 although I'd never part with it for less then I paid from neighbor which is $400. and that was several years ago.

For the $$$, the Makarov has to be on that list. Unless you meant 9x19 only...

You can find a 39-2 for that price if you shop around.

Check this out:

5946

Save your pennies and get a good value, i.e., a gun that's good quality for the amount you'll spend, not "cheap". You're talking, "cheap".

On the other hand, I've got a friend with a .32 Davis semiauto you could probably have for $250. It may blow up in your hand, but it'll be less expensive.

Seriously, this isn't like buying milk or gasoline, where you need to be price conscious because it's a recurring cost and pennies add up. You should be looking for a gun you won't ever have to replace, and the money you spend now will pay off in reliability later. This is no place to scrimp.

If your life depends on a mechanical device working perfectly when you need it to, I should think you'd sell your car and get the best one you can. Borrow money from your relatives. But don't get a piece of junk and expect it to save your life; it could get you killed.

__________________
Not legal advice/solicitation

The best all around semi-automatic Smith & Wesson 9mm for the money is.....

The Model 915 (or 910), even so you will probably have to go up to at least $300-350 for a used one in good condition right now. I did see a beat to hell Model 10 (revolver)offered at $280 a few weeks back, but it's cylinder was as loose as a $1 crack whore with a finish to match. For new semi-automatic pistols, the Sigma is very popular usually sold in the upper $300. If $250 is absolute top price you will accept, I would look at the used S&W Sigmas in the CDNN catalog that are going for just about that. The classified section here sells good deals on some good guns from honest folks, but I would not expect to find anything that cheap.

Sigma in green:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/P...angId=-1&isFirearm=Y

Sigma in Black:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/P...angId=-1&isFirearm=Y

Model 910 (Model 915 is no longer made, but is similar to 910 and comes with higher capacity magazine):
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/P...angId=-1&isFirearm=Y

Buy used, but not abused. Lots of Sig P6/P225 and Beretta 92 police trade-ins on the market right now, among other firearms.

I got this used S&W #908 with no box, one magazine, for $225.00.


This S&W #459 for $315.00.


This Beretta #84 bb for $145.00.


This Beretta #92F for $305.00.

Great Deals there ColbyBruce!! NICE!!
I think the $279 SIG Sauer P6s is one of the best deals I've ever seen..
I had my choice a few weeks back either a P6 or the 3913NL, I went with the 3913..
Nothing wrong with the SIG but the S&W will make a better carry weapon IMO..
Gary/Hk

__________________
MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson

I traded for a commercial Sig P225 about two years ago. Though I like it, I have other guns better suited to concealed carry.

I just left the summit gun broker site. It still has square trigger guard 5906's listed at $269.00. The 5906's are great guns. I don't know if the photo is representative of the condition of all the stock. However, I have seen much worse. I purchased one of the NIB ones from CDNN during the summer.

__________________
Regards,
Russell

+1 on all these recommendations. You will find the surplus Sig P6 (aka 225) all over the place and a great deal right now. I'm also partial to the S&W Model 39. They made roughly 350,000 model 39's and they sometimes can be found in your price range.